In the end, god and his people win, and evil will be forever defeated. Revelation greek apokalupsis means an uncovering, an unveiling, or a disclosure. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. What does revelation mean when it says, there was no.
Its meticulous, scholarly approach to studying linguistic structure, vocabulary, and variant readings provides and exegetical model even for those who. It talks about a time when god will dwell with men and he will wipe every tear from their eyes and there will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain for the old order i. Interpreting the book of revelation provides a concise introduction to the careful interpretive study of revelation. The interpretation bible commentary series is one of the best available and eugene borings contribution in his book. The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. There are 4 common methods of interpretation concerning the biblical book of revelation. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. For a broader view look at the comments in the right column. And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood. Interpreting the book of revelation logos bible software. Youll grasp the meaning of each verse, youll understand every important symbol, and youll get the big picture of all that god has promised for those who believe in him. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1.
This name indicates the meaning of revelation it uncovers matters that had been hidden and discloses events that would happen long after it was written. The book of revelation bold type and underlining of scripture text have been added for emphasis your questions and comments are welcome note. On the contrary, revelation intends to encourage its readers, using a type of literature that was common at the time it was written. More than any other passage in the book of revelation, the interpretation of the seven horns as seven kings has fostered the notion that john saw the beast as a kind of reincarnation of the emperor nero, whose brief but gruesome persecution of christians in the year 64 was vivid in christian memory. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online.
Furthermore, he said it would come as a destruction upon the whole earth isaiah 28. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have. The preterist meaning past view errantly claims that revelation was all fulfilled by the end of the 1st century. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator.
The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. The book of revelation provides a powerful ending for the bible. Easyenglish is a system of simple english designed by wycliffe associates uk. A bible study in easyenglish 2800 word vocabulary on the book of revelation. Revelation of john international standard bible encyclopedia. This is the holy book of revelation, known as the revelation of st. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Although not easily accessible to one unfamiliar to the landscape of biblical scholarship, this text is more than worth the effort. The book of revelation and you free bible study guides. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture.
Revelation is often described as a the revelation of john meaning the revelation to john1 b. Bible verses related to the book of revelation from the king james version kjv by relevance sort by book order revelation 20. To whom this may concern, do you have any written archivesessays on the book of revelation that is on the internet. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Additionally, because of the books place as the capstone of bible prophecy, and indeed of all scripture,2 ones interpretation of the rest of scripture and ones accompanying presuppositions especially regarding the millennium play a pivotal role in determining ones interpretation of the revelation. Revelation 17 commentary the angels interpretation. The book of revelation has had an enormous influence on christian historyand its message is still needed today. The purpose is to assist the student in gaining a greater comprehension of the biblical teaching contained in the book. Few today would contest the claim that the book of revelation stands as one of the most controversial, complicated, and esoteric books in the new testament canon. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. I will confess his name before my father and before his. Five common misinterpretations of the book of revelation, the here are five of the most common fallacious statements propagated in the name of john the revelator. Revelation 1, new international version niv the bible app.
He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. The book of revelation is the only book in the new testament that begins by specifically stating its source, the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave to himand signified it by his angel to his servant john rev. The book ends with confirmations of authenticity by god, christ and john. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture.
The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. An apocalypse is a very specific kind of literature with no modern equivalent. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. The book of revelation is the book of hope in spite of. The true message of the book is one of hope, looking ahead toward gods ultimate victory over evil. This has led some to interpret the statement there was no longer any sea in revelation 21. Historicism, a method of interpretation in christian eschatology which associates biblical prophecies with actual historical events and identifies symbolic beings with historical persons or societies, has been applied to the book of revelation by many writers. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka.
It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. Interpretation bible studies ibs offers solid biblical content in. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. The book is made up of symbols, figures and metaphoric description of events and visions. Looking at the theological and textual issues that most interest and trouble 21stcentury interpreters, harold foos moody bible institute, robert lightner dallas theological seminary, and others probe the books interpretation and structure, as well as its views of the trinity, the church. No longer will there be opportunity for rebellion in gods creation. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation.
The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. John the divine, although the godgiven title is at the very beginning of the text, the revelation of. What should we look for, and how should we live between now and then. Answers to a variety of questions on the book of revelation including, the meaning of the first horseman, the timing of the bowl judgments, the application of the churches of laodicea and thyatira to history, and the meaning of nation against nation. The english title comes from the latin revelatio which in its verb form means to reveal or unveil that which has previously been hidden. There is perhaps no more misunderstood book of the bible than revelation. Introduction to revelation bible book of revelation. Why was the book of revelation included in the bible. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope.
Because the book of revelation says that angels stand on the earths four corners. In it, john1 talks about the ultimate defeat of evil and the glorious return and reign of the lord jesus christ. Earlier in revelation, the sea was the source of the satanically empowered beast revelation. And there were open books, and one of them was the book of life. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. It is most important to understand that the book of revelation does not list the scenes and events in the same order in which they will actually occur. For personal study, i suggest you start at the beginning of a chapter or book. While there is only one old testament apocalyptic book daniel and one new.
It starts out simply enough, it is a revelation in greek, apocalypse from jesus christ, it is a prophecy, and it comes as a letter to seven churches. Can we use that logic when were understanding revelations in the bible. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. This course is designed as an expository study of the book of revelation, taking the student through the entire book with cross references to other portions of scripture. Many of the presbyters in attendance at the council of nicaea didnt want it in the bible. The historicist view follows a straight line of continuous fulfillment of prophecy which starts in daniels time and goes through john. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. The revelation of john the divine the argument it is manifest, that the holy ghost would as it were gather into this most excellent book a sum of those prophecies, which were written before, but should be fulfilled after the coming of christ, adding also such things as should be expedient, as well to forewarn us of the dangers to come, as to. And no guide makes revelation more understandable than the smart guide to the bible. If we did not realize already that it takes a lifetime to understand the bible and thats a good thing, the point is driven home when we get to the last book in the biblerevelation. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can help you read, understand, and figure out the apocalyptic letter of john. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. The book of revelation starts with this is a revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place.
Objections to johannine authorshiprelation to fourth gospel iii. The real meaning of the bible s book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Read your own bible, the bible as quoted on this site, and my comments. The interpretation of the book of revelation has often proven difficult throughout the history of the christian church. The book of revelation is the book that refers to this most often and it is the book that has the text that sounds most problematical, i think. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth. I encourage you to bring your insights to class to share with others. Recommended sites bible info questions with answers in major world languages. Leading evangelical scholars thoroughly examine the vision of john in a bible handbook to revelation. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. An introduction to the book of revelation, including issues in interpretation, ways to understand the time frame of the book, and. For reasons we can only speculate on the decision to include it was made at the last minutetruly a cliffha.
This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. Ben witherington iii, author of the following article, asking the right question, once hitched a ride from a couple who believed the earth was flat. The whole book of revelation was given to the son by the father to be shown to all believers in truth what was to come. Borings sectionbysection commentary explores the meaning of johns vision and explains interpretive difficulties in light of the books central focusthe risen christ who continues to speak to his church through the spirit.
The was the title given to the book in the latin vulgate3. A bible handbook to revelation christian book distributors. Deep waters covered the earth, and darkness covered the water. Though it is little more than a piece of scholarly gossip, some have even suggested that the reformer john calvin, one of the best interpreters of the scriptures the church has known, shied away from writing a commentary on the book of revelation for this very reason. The book of revelation is gods message to all who are concerned about the future. Perhaps it should come as no surprise, then, that its reception by the early church was equally complicated and controversial. Yet it has a clear message for all who would devote themselves to its pages. Introduction the book of revelation is one of the most encouraging books of the new testament. Much of the book of revelation is the story of worsening sin and the resultant suffering. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ.
220 444 203 1070 781 238 473 632 863 930 659 1012 825 438 1387 257 1071 197 401 564 899 294 1323 1209 6 966 992 157 347 528 87 58 666 370 834 1327 424 1414 963 194 852 1378 196